Maryland Free and Reduced-Price Meals Program (FARMs)
What is FARMs in Maryland?
The Maryland FARMS program for free and reduced-price meals for school children is the state’s implementation of the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). It is not a separate program, but rather Maryland’s name for the same federal program that provides free or reduced-cost meals to eligible students.
The term FARMs is used widely by Maryland school districts, especially for reporting, student services, and determining eligibility for other programs and funding (such as Title I services and technology grants).
Who is eligible for Maryland FARMs?
Eligibility for FARMs is determined based on household income and family size, using the same income thresholds as the federal FRL guidelines:
- Free Meals: Household income at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- Reduced-Price Meals: Household income between 130% and 185% of FPL
Families can qualify automatically if they participate in programs such as:
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations)
- Foster children, homeless youth, migrant children, and runaways are also categorically eligible.
How to apply in Maryland?
In Maryland, FARMs eligibility isn’t just about meals—it often determines:
- Access to waived test and college application fees
- Title I funding eligibility for schools
- Access to programs like the Maryland College Promise Scholarship
- Access to the Maryland BOOST Scholarship